John 3 - NIV Study Bible

3:1 Pharisee. A member of a separatistic group in Judaism (see article and chart; see also notes on Mt 3:7; Mk 2:16; Lk 5:17).

3:2 at night. Perhaps Nicodemus was afraid to come by day. Or he may have wanted a long talk, which would have been difficult in the daytime with the crowds around Jesus. Either way, John uses a nighttime setting metaphorically as well to indicate Nicodemus’s lack of understanding (cf. 9:4; 11:10; 13:30).

3:3,7 born again. The Greek likely also means “born from above” (see NIV text note on v. 3). Both meanings are consistent with Jesus’ redeeming work and both are important emphases in John’s Gospel (see 1:13 and note).

3:5 kingdom of God. See note on Mt 3:2. born of water and the Spirit. A phrase understood in various ways: (1) It means the cleansing power of the Spirit (v. 8; cf. 7:38–39; Eze 36:25–27; Titus 3:5 and notes). (2) Water refers to baptism—that of John (1:31) or that of Jesus and his disciples (see v. 22; 4:2 and notes). (3) Water refers to physical birth, specifically to the water of the amniotic sac (cf. vv. 4,6).

3:7 You must be born again. See NIV text note. This assertion applies to everyone, not just to Nicodemus. born again. See note on vv. 3,7.

3:8 The Holy Spirit is sovereign. He works as he pleases in his renewal of human hearts.

3:10 do you not understand . . . ? See 1Co 2:14 and note.

3:11 testimony. See note on 1:7.

3:13 Son of Man. Jesus’ favorite self-designation (see notes on Mk 8:31; Lk 19:10).

3:14 Moses lifted up the snake. See notes on Nu 21:8–9; 2Ki 18:4. the Son of Man must be lifted up. A wordplay. “Lifted up” means both the crucifixion and Jesus’ glorification that would follow (see 8:28; 12:32 and note; see also NIV text note).

3:15–16 believes. See note on 1:7. eternal life. Life in living fellowship with God—both now and forever.

3:16 See NIV text note on v. 15. God so loved the world. The great truth that motivated God’s plan of salvation (cf. 1Jn 4:9–10). “So” here means “in this way” rather than “so much.” world. All people on earth—and perhaps all creation (see notes on 1:4,9). gave his one and only Son. Cf. Isa 9:6 (“a son is given,” referring to the Messianic Son of David—who is also God’s Son [see 2Sa 7:14 and note]). See also 1:14,18 and notes; cf. Ge 22:2, 16; Ro 8:32 and notes. Although believers are also called children of God (1:12; 2Co 6:18; Gal 4:4–6), Jesus is God’s Son in a unique sense (see 20:31 and note).

3:18 believes . . . does not believe. John is not speaking of momentary beliefs and doubts but of continuing, settled convictions. name. See 2:23 and note.

3:22 baptized. According to 4:2 only the disciples actually baptized.

3:23 Aenon. Possibly about eight miles south of Scythopolis (Beth Shan), west of the Jordan (see map).

3:24 See note on Lk 3:20.

3:25 argument . . . over . . . ceremonial washing. See 2:6 and note. The Dead Sea (Qumran) Scrolls (see article) show that most Jews were deeply interested in the right way to achieve ceremonial purification.

3:26 testified. See note on 1:7. John’s disciples knew that he had testified about Jesus, but they loved their master and were apparently envious of Jesus’ success.

3:27 The words are true of both Jesus and John (and of everyone). Both had the mission God had given them, so there was no place for envy. given. The Greek verb is used about 75 times in this Gospel, especially of the things the Father gives the Son.

3:28 I am . . . sent ahead of him. See Mal 3:1 and note.

3:29 bridegroom. The most important man at a wedding, referring here to Jesus. “The friend who attends the bridegroom” (similar to the “best man”) is there only to help him, which describes the role of John the Baptist. full of joy. Not because he was on center stage but because the bridegroom was there. John’s joy was to hear of Jesus’ success.

3:30 John the Baptist’s pointed way of reaffirming his subordinate position.

3:31 The one who comes from above. Jesus, whose heavenly origin (see v. 13; 1Co 15:47) meant much to John. the one who is from the earth. A general expression that could apply to anyone, but here it particularly refers to John the Baptist.

3:32 what he has seen and heard. Jesus taught from divine experience. no one. Does not mean that no person accepted what he said (v. 33) but that people in general refused his teaching.

3:33 certified. When people accept Christ’s testimony, they accept the truth that Jesus came from heaven and that God was acting in him for the world’s salvation. They thereby testify that God is truthful.

3:34 the one whom God has sent. Jesus as the sent one is a key theme in John’s Gospel (e.g., 4:34; 17:3). without limit. A reference to Christ’s giving the Spirit without limit to believers. Others hold that it is only to Jesus that the Spirit is given without limit (but see NIV text note).

3:36 has. Eternal life is a present possession, not something the believer will only obtain later (see note on vv. 15–16). God’s wrath. A strong expression, meaning that God is actively opposed to everything evil (see note on Ro 1:18). remains. No one who persists in rejecting the Son of God as Savior and Lord can expect God’s wrath eventually to fade away. God’s opposition to evil is both total and permanent.